UMass-Lowell, Boston College meet for spot in Frozen Four

The two best teams in Hockey East face off on Sunday for a chance to play for a national championship. On Saturday, UMass-Lowell beat Minnesota State-Mankato, 2-1, and BC throttled Denver, 6-2.

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The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

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Posted Mar. 30, 2014 at 7:39 AM
Updated Mar 30, 2014 at 8:38 PM

Posted Mar. 30, 2014 at 7:39 AM
Updated Mar 30, 2014 at 8:38 PM

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WORCESTER -- After surviving a tight game against Minnesota State-Mankato, UMass-Lowell coach Norm Bazin and the River Hawks were ready to focus on the all-Hockey East regional final against Boston College.

"We do know our opponent. They're a great hockey team," Bazin said after his second-seeded River Hawks beat Minnesota State 2-1 in the Northeast Regional semifinals Saturday night.

"They're regular-season champions for a reason, and it just so happens that we're the playoff champions so it should be a good matchup."

Top-seeded Boston College beat Denver 6-2.

The teams played twice late in the regular season, with BC winning 3-0 and tying 2-2.

The rematch is set for 5 p.m. Sunday (ESPNU) at the DCU Center.

Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves and Joe Pendenza scored a short-handed goal in the first period in UMass-Lowell's victory .

UMass-Lowell (26-10-4), which reached the Frozen Four last season, ended Minnesota State's 13-game unbeaten streak (12-0-1) and kept the Mavericks (26-14-1) from earning their first NCAA Division I tournament win.

Hellebuyck came within 10.8 seconds of his seventh shutout of the season. After defenseman Zack Kamrass scored an empty-net goal to make it 2-0 with 40.9 seconds left, Zach Stepan scored on a power play.

In the early game, Johnny Gaudreau had his first hat trick for Boston College and added three assists, leading the top-seeded Eagles to past Denver.

Boston College (27-7-4) will face UMass-Lowell on Sunday for a spot in the Frozen Four.

Kevin Hayes had two goals and two assists, and Bill Arnold added a goal and two assists.